Stalk-cutter.



- F. P. CHAPA.

STALK CUTTER. APPLIOATION FILED JULY 26, 1906.

1HE NnRfzls PETERS co PATBNTBD 6613.26, 1907.

i UNITED STATES FATENT OFFICE.

FRANCISCO PENA CHAPA, OF ALICE, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF T TRINIDAD SALAZAR, OF ALICE, TEXAS.

STALK-CUTTER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 26, 1907.

Application filed July 25,1906. Serial No. 327,654.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, FRANCISCO PENA CHAPA, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Alice, in the county of N neces and State of Texas, have invented a new and Improved Stalk-Cutter, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to devices for cutti cotton, corn, or other similar stalks, and has for its object to provide a device adapted to be drawn along between two rows of standin stalks and cut them by novel, simple, and improved means.

The invention consists of the special construction, arrangement, and con'ibination of parts shown by the accompanying drawing and hereinafter described in detail, the novel features being pointed out in the appended l ward ends of the side beams are hinge-div secured to the central beam near the latters forward end by a suitably-supported securingbolt 3, as shown, or by other improved means adapted for the purpose. On the central beam 1 I mount a seat 4, provided with yielding support 5.

6 denotes a block or standard on the central beam 1, the same being secured by bolts or other approved means permitting of its removal when desired. The standard 6 provides support for oppositely-projecting stalkej ecting wings 7 The wings are constructed of elastic material and provided with a series of notches, forming teeth 8 in their lower edges, substantially as shown, designed for the pur ose hereinafter appearing.

On t e forward end of the central beam I arrange a supporting-wheel 9, the same being suitably secured thereto just back of a clevis 10 at the draft end of the beam.

11 denotes an axle arranged extending loosely through transverse openings in the central beam l and the side beams 2.

Obviously the axle may be arranged in suitable bearings on the under side of the beams 1 and 2, and I therefore do not recentral beam 1.

strict myself to the connecting means illustrated by my drawing.

The axle is retained in place by means of a pin 12 entered into an opening through its 'projecting ends 5 but it is apparent that other obvious means may bc employed on the projecting ends of the axle adapted to hold it in place- On the axle I arrange. wheels 13, with one thereof located on cach side of the central beam 1 between it and the side beams 2, as shown.. The wheels 13 are arranged on the axle with free sliding and revoluble movements, and they are yieldingly held shoved against the beams 2 by means of springs 14, secured to the central beam 1.

15 denotes handles pivoted together at 16 and with their lower ends 17 suitably bolted to the rear ends of the side beams 2.

It will be noticed that the handles are arranged in crossing position and that their upper ends above the pivoting connection 16 are provided with notched plates 18, the notches of said plates being designed for holding engagement with a suitable link 19,

whereby the handles are held against spreading action,

The axle ends of the side beams 2 are held yieldingly shoved away from the central beam by means of springs 20, having one end secured to the latter' beam and with their other ends arranged bearing against the side beams, as shown.

It is apparent that separated adjustment of the beams 2 2 may be regulated through adjustment of the link 19 into upward or downward locking engagement position with `the notched plates 18.

Cn the beams 2 2 I arrange blades 21, the same being pivotally secured by means of a bolt 22 or other approved device.

The blades are constructed with a forward cutting edge and fashioned with forwardlycurved free ends, substantially as shown.

The blades are constructed with Shanks 23, arranged projecting beyond the inner, side of the beams 2 2.

24 denotes springs on opposite sides of the These springs have one end secured to the beam l and are constructed IOO adapted for their other or free ends to be arranged in engagement with the front side of the projecting ends ofthe blade-Shanks 23.

The construction` of my improved stalkcutter will be understood from the above description.

'In use the device is drawn along between two standing rows of stalks by manual, horse, or other power.

The wings 7 are designed for removing fallen stalks out of the path of the blades 21, and the same is effected by engagement of their notched edges with a loose or fallen stalk, the stalk being thrown out of the way by rebounding operation of the wings as the device is drawn along.

Standing stalks are engaged by the blades 2l and the blades forced backwardly against tension of the springs 24, thereby severing the stalk with a shear cut, as will be understood. It is apparent as the device is drawn along and a stalk cut by the shear severing action described tension of the spring 24 will operate, throwing the blade to forward adjustment, with its sharpened edge engaging the inext stalk, cutting it through impact force. The next succeeding stalk is severed by a shear cut, as first described, and the stalk next engaged is severed by an impact cut eflected by action of the spring throwing the blade to forward adjustment, as hereinbefore described.

I claim- 1. A stalk-cutter provided with a central beam, side beams connected at one end thereof with the central beam and arranged projecting lengthwise from the central beam, projecting pivotally-acting blades on the side eams, means holding the blades under tension, and stalk-ejectors carried in advance of said blades.

2. The combination in a stalk-cutter, of a central beam, adjustable side beams hingedly attached to the central beam, means yieldingly holding the side beams projecting at an angle from the central beam, yielding blades on the side beams, means limiting adjustment of the side beams, and means providing transporting-support.

3. The combination in a stalk-cutter, of a central beam, side beams hingedly attached at their forward ends, to the central beam, means yieldingly'holding the side beams projecting at an angle from the central beam, projecting blades on the side beams, springs adapted for yieldingly holding the blades at forward adjustment, attached wheels, providing transporting -support, and means adapted for limiting outward adjustment of the side beams.

4. The combination in a stalk-cutter, of a central beam, side beams hingedly attached at their forward ends, to the central beam, springs on the central beam, adapted to hold the side beams projecting at an angle from the central beam, projecting blades pivotally secured to the side beams, springs on the central beam, adapted to hold the blades yieldingly adjusted, an axle at the rear ends of the central and side beams, Wheels on the axle having lateral adjustment, sprin s yieldingly holding said wheels to lateral a justment, a supporting-wheel at the forward end of the central beam, pivotally connected handlebars secured to the side beams, and means adapted to limit pivotal adjustment of the handle-bars.

5. The combination in a stalk-cutter, of a central beam, side beams hingedly attached at their forward ends, to the central beam, springs on the central beam adapted to hold the side beams projecting at an angle from the central beam, yieldingly-held projecting blades on the side beams, and ejector-wings located in advance of the projecting blades.

FRANCISCO PENA CHAPA.

Vitnesses:

THos. H. CLARK, LEE A. BITTERMAN. 

